Buffalo Sabres fantasy projections for 2023-24

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff has projections for relevant players on the Buffalo Sabres. Players are listed in order of fantasy rank for this season.

Tage Thompson, C/RW

NHL.com fantasy rank: 12

Reason for optimism: Thompson ranked sixth in the NHL in goals (47), 15th in points (94 in 78 games), tied for third in power-play goals (20) and 11th in shots on goal (295) last season, setting NHL career highs in each category. He's 10th in the NHL in goals (85) over the past two seasons combined.

NHL.com point projection: 102

Rasmus Dahlin, D

NHL.com fantasy rank: 31

Reason for optimism: Dahlin ranked fifth among NHL defensemen who played at least 50 games with 0.94 points per game (73 in 78 games), fourth at the position in power-play points (32) and had NHL career highs in goals (15), assists (58), plus/minus (plus-12) and shots on goal (204) last season.

NHL.com point projection: 76

Alex Tuch, RW

NHL.com fantasy rank: 54

Reason for optimism: Tuch ranked second on the Sabres in points per game (1.07; 79 in 74 games) behind frequent linemate Thompson (1.21), breaking his previous NHL career high in points (52 with Vegas Golden Knights in 2018-19). Tuch finished 62nd in standard fantasy leagues last season and has an even higher ceiling if Buffalo ends its long playoff drought.

NHL.com point projection: 83

Devon Levi, G

NHL.com fantasy rank: 101

Reason for optimism: Levi, who led the NCAA in save percentage each of the past two seasons with Northeastern, has a chance to be the clear No. 1 goalie in his first full NHL season and is second among rookies in NHL.com's fantasy rankings behind Chicago Blackhawks forward prospect Connor Bedard.

NHL.com win projection: 30

Jeff Skinner, LW

NHL.com fantasy rank: 109

Reason for optimism: Skinner was second on Buffalo with an NHL career-high 82 points last season behind frequent linemate Thompson. The 31-year-old is one of the veterans on the up-and-coming Sabres but still at the peak of his offensive production considering he also had NHL career highs in assists (47), power-play points (21) and plus/minus (plus-15) last season.

NHL.com point projection: 75

Dylan Cozens, C

NHL.com fantasy rank: 128

Reason for optimism: One of the breakout stars of last season, Cozens had 68 points (31 goals, 37 assists). He played mostly on the second line with rookie standout JJ Peterka and the first power play with Thompson, Tuch, Skinner and Dahlin. He should be considered a top 50 overall player in long-term fantasy leagues.

NHL.com point projection: 72

Owen Power, D

NHL.com fantasy rank: 136

Reason for optimism: Although his short-term fantasy ceiling may be capped playing behind an elite option in Dahlin on the second power play, Power gives Buffalo arguably the best 1-2 punch at the position of young defensemen on separate pairs/units. He led NHL rookie defensemen in assists (31), points (35) and even-strength points (26) last season and was a Calder Trophy finalist.

NHL.com point projection: 44

Other BUF players to consider in fantasy: JJ Peterka, LW/RW; Casey Mittelstadt, C; Jiri Kulich or Matt Savoie, C; Victor Olofsson, RW

Key injury: Jack Quinn, LW/RW